FEP Blue 2027: Basic vs Standard vs Focus Premiums and Benefits
FEP Blue is the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program. It comes in three options: Standard, Basic and FEP Blue Focus. For 2027, the enrollee share for Self Only coverage is $204.65 per biweekly paycheck for Standard, $145.46 for Basic and $74.16 for Focus. The lower premiums come with a higher deductible and out-of-pocket limit, and only Standard covers out-of-network care as a rule. Open Season runs November 9 to December 14, 2026.
2027 Premiums: What You Pay
The enrollee share for non-Postal employees and retirees, from OPM's 2027 rate table. Employees pay biweekly; retirees pay the monthly amount. The change column is the biweekly change from 2026.
| Option and enrollment (code) | Biweekly | Monthly | Biweekly change vs 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard, Self Only (104) | $204.65 | $443.41 | +$16.33 |
| Standard, Self Plus One (106) | $449.89 | $974.76 | +$39.01 |
| Standard, Self and Family (105) | $496.90 | $1,076.61 | +$39.24 |
| Basic, Self Only (111) | $145.46 | $315.17 | +$11.69 |
| Basic, Self Plus One (113) | $350.48 | $759.38 | +$31.23 |
| Basic, Self and Family (112) | $387.54 | $839.67 | +$30.68 |
| FEP Blue Focus, Self Only (131) | $74.16 | $160.69 | +$7.35 |
| FEP Blue Focus, Self Plus One (133) | $159.43 | $345.44 | +$15.80 |
| FEP Blue Focus, Self and Family (132) | $175.35 | $379.93 | +$17.38 |
Postal employees and retirees enroll through the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) program, which has its own FEP Blue brochures and rates. See the 2027 PSHB rates.
2027 Benefits Side by Side
In-network (Preferred provider) cost sharing from each option's 2027 Summary of Benefits. "After deductible" means the deductible applies first.
| Benefit | Standard | Basic | FEP Blue Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calendar year deductible | $500 per person; $1,000 for Self Plus One or Self and Family | None | $1,000 per person; $2,000 for Self Plus One or Self and Family |
| Out-of-pocket maximum, in network | $7,000 Self Only; $14,000 Self Plus One or Self and Family | $8,500 Self Only; $17,000 Self Plus One or Self and Family | $11,000 Self Only; $22,000 Self Plus One or Self and Family |
| Out-of-network care | Covered: generally 35% of the plan allowance after deductible, plus any difference between the allowance and the bill | Not covered, with exceptions | Not covered, with exceptions |
| Primary care office visit | $30 | $35 | $10 for each of the first 10 visits a year (medical and mental health combined), then 30% after deductible |
| Specialist office visit | $40 | $50 | Same 10-visit rule as primary care |
| Telehealth | Nothing | Nothing | Nothing (Preferred Telehealth Provider) |
| Urgent care | $30 | $50 | $25 |
| Emergency room (medical emergency) | 15% after deductible | $500 | 30% after deductible |
| Inpatient hospital | $450 per admission | $500 per day, up to $3,500 per admission | 30% after deductible |
| Generic drug, retail, up to 30 days | $7.50 | $15 | $5 |
This is a summary. The brochure is the official statement of benefits, and it lists the exceptions and the costs that do not count toward the out-of-pocket maximum.
What Changes for 2027
- Standard: the deductible is $500 per person and $1,000 for Self Plus One or Self and Family. The in-network out-of-pocket maximum is $7,000 (Self Only) and $14,000 (Self Plus One or Self and Family). The inpatient copay is $450 per admission.
- Basic: the in-network out-of-pocket maximum is $8,500 (Self Only) and $17,000 (Self Plus One or Self and Family). Inpatient care costs $500 per day up to $3,500, and the emergency room copay is $500 per day per facility.
- FEP Blue Focus: the deductible is now $1,000 (Self Only) and $2,000 (Self Plus One or Self and Family), and the in-network out-of-pocket maximum is now $11,000 and $22,000. Maternity services billed by a Preferred facility now carry a $3,000 copay per pregnancy.
How the Three Options Differ
Standard has the highest premium. It is the only option of the three that pays for care from providers outside the network, at a higher share. Basic has no deductible and uses flat copays, but pays nothing outside the network except in the cases the brochure lists. FEP Blue Focus has the lowest premium. It also has the highest deductible and out-of-pocket limit. Its first 10 professional visits each year cost $10 each. After the 10th visit, and from the start for most other care, such as diagnostic and treatment services in the office and hospital care, you pay 30% of the plan allowance once the deductible is met.
Whether a lower premium saves money depends on how much care you use. Add a year of premiums to the out-of-pocket costs you expect, and compare that total across options. For every other plan's 2027 rate, see all FEHB plans.
Sources & Methodology
- Premiums: OPM, 2027 FEHB fee-for-service rate table (ffs.xlsx), retrieved November 7, 2026. The figures match the rate pages of both 2027 brochures.
- Benefits and changes: 2027 Standard and Basic Option brochure and 2027 FEP Blue Focus brochure (Section 2 and the Summary of Benefits), retrieved November 7, 2026.
- Open Season dates: OPM Open Season page, retrieved November 7, 2026.
FAQ
Is FEP Blue the same as BCBS FEP?
Yes. Both names refer to the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan for federal employees and retirees. Standard and Basic are its two traditional options, and FEP Blue Focus is the third.
What does FEP Blue Basic cost in 2027?
For non-Postal enrollees, Basic Self Only costs $145.46 per biweekly paycheck or $315.17 a month. Self and Family costs $387.54 biweekly or $839.67 a month.
Does FEP Blue Focus cover out-of-network doctors?
Generally no. The 2027 Focus brochure says you pay all charges for non-preferred providers, except in the cases it lists, such as emergency care for an accidental injury within 72 hours.
When can I switch FEP Blue options?
During Open Season, November 9 to December 14, 2026. The 2027 benefit changes take effect on January 1, 2027.
This page is for educational purposes only and is not personalized financial or health insurance advice. Check the plan brochure before you enroll.
